What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

University at Buffalo
Solar Energy Systems Overview
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, HVAC, Project Design, Semiconductors, Building Services Engineering, Feasibility Studies, Cost Benefit Analysis, Electronic Components, Electrical Wiring, Cost Estimation, Return On Investment, Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
838 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Life Sciences, Environmental Issue, Environment and Resource Management, Infectious Diseases, Demography, Natural Resource Management, Biostatistics, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Monitoring, Taxonomy, Anatomy, Estimation, Spatial Analysis, Scientific Methods, General Science and Research, Science and Research, Experimentation, Data Collection, Research Methodologies
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
191 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
3D CAD Application
Skills you'll gain: SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), 3D Modeling, Building Design, Architectural Drawing, Architecture and Construction, Computer-Aided Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
EIT Digital
Web Connectivity and Security in Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Cryptography, Security Requirements Analysis, Network Architecture, Network Security, Internet Of Things, Cybersecurity, Web Services, Encryption, Embedded Systems, Network Protocols, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Threat Modeling, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), TCP/IP, Web Applications, Restful API
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
171 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
The University of Chicago
Global Warming II: Create Your Own Models in Python
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Issue, NumPy, Physical Science, Jupyter, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Simulations, Numerical Analysis, Environment, Interactive Data Visualization
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Introduction to advanced tomography
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, 3D Modeling, Image Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Data Processing, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Reasoning Across the Disciplines
Skills you'll gain: Deductive Reasoning, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Physical Science, Research, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Process Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
L&T EduTech
Power System: Generation, Transmission and Protection
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Substation, Electrical Safety, Plant Operations and Management, Three-Phase, High Voltage, Applied Mathematics, Power Electronics, Electrical Wiring, Basic Electrical Systems, Process Control, Mathematical Modeling, Matlab, Electrical Engineering, Wiring Diagram, Low Voltage, Automation, Simulation and Simulation Software, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Reliability, Engineering Calculations
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
169 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Analyzing the Universe
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis Software, Spatial Data Analysis, Image Analysis, Scientific Visualization, Science and Research, Physics, Physical Science, General Science and Research, Probability & Statistics, Research, Scientific Methods
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
230 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Developing AR/VR/MR/XR Apps with WebXR, Unity & Unreal
Skills you'll gain: Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Cross Platform Development, Application Development, User Experience, Computer Graphics, Prototyping, User Interface (UI), Web Development Tools, Software Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
90 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
Question Reality! Science, philosophy, a search for meaning
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, Theoretical Computer Science, Logical Reasoning, Science and Research, Physics, Experimentation, Physical Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Thinking, Research, Simulations, Psychology, General Science and Research, Mechanics, General Mathematics, Deductive Reasoning, Timelines
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University at Buffalo
Advanced Manufacturing Process Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Anomaly Detection, Manufacturing Processes, Data Collection, Data Storage, Data Processing, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Analysis, Data Cleansing, Digital Transformation, Big Data, Computing Platforms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks